You’re probably reading this because you or someone you care about recently had a run-in with a dog, and now you’re wondering, “What happens next?” Maybe the bite looked pretty minor at first, but now it’s getting red, swollen, or just feels\u2026 off. Here’s the scoop: dog bites aren’t just about the initial skin tear. The real worry often comes from something you can’t even see: tiny bacteria that might’ve jumped right into your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ll be straight with you \u2013 this stuff can get serious, and it can happen fast. But please, don’t panic. Just knowing what you’re dealing with puts you way ahead of the game. So, let’s chat about what en realidad<\/em> Qu\u00e9 ocurre cuando las bacterias de la mordedura de un perro deciden causar problemas y, lo que es m\u00e1s importante, qu\u00e9 puede hacer al respecto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a second to think about a dog’s mouth. It’s warm, moist, and absolutely packed with bacteria \u2013 some are totally harmless, but others? Not so much. When those teeth break your skin, they’re basically creating a VIP highway for all that bacteria to get into places it definitivamente<\/em> shouldn’t be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s what makes dog bites particularly sneaky: they often create deep, narrow wounds that can seal up quickly on the surface. Sounds good, right? Well, not exactly. These kinds of wounds can actually trap bacteria deep inside, creating the perfect little warm, moist incubator for infection to brew. It’s like sealing bacteria in a tiny, perfect growing environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los perros tienen una gran cantidad de bacterias en la boca. Algunas de las principales causantes de problemas que podr\u00edas encontrar incluyen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Especies de Pasteurella<\/strong> \u2013 Este es un gran problema. Aproximadamente la mitad de las mordeduras de perro se infectan con Pasteurella, y esta se propaga r\u00e1pido<\/em>. We’re talking symptoms showing up within 24 hours fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estafilococo \u00e1ureo<\/strong> \u2013 You’ve probably heard of staph infections. This bacteria often lives right on our skin, but it can cause anything from minor skin infections to really serious, life-threatening problems if it gets into the wrong place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estreptococo<\/strong> \u2013 Otra bacteria com\u00fan de la piel que puede provocar celulitis (una infecci\u00f3n desagradable de la piel y los tejidos blandos) o algo incluso peor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Capnocytophaga<\/strong> \u2013 This one’s particularly nasty, especially for folks with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, it can cause sepsis and even be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scary part? These bacteria don’t always play fair. Sometimes they team up, creating mixed infections that are much harder to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s talk about sepsis \u2013 it’s a word that makes healthcare providers seriously concerned. Sepsis happens when your body’s response to an infection goes completely out of whack and starts attacking your propio<\/em> tissues and organs. It’s like your immune system hits the panic button and then totally forgets how to turn it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You won’t always know sepsis is happening right away. It can be super sneaky. But here are the warning signs you absolutely, positively need to watch for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signos tempranos (pueden ser sutiles):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Signos m\u00e1s graves (estos significan que necesitas ayuda AHORA):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re seeing cualquier<\/em> of these symptoms after a dog bite, don’t wait. Don’t think, “I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.” Get to an emergency room immediately. Seriously, this isn’t something to gamble with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Esta es la parte que a menudo toma a las personas por sorpresa. La sepsis puede desarrollarse dentro de horas<\/em> of an infection. I’ve seen cases where someone felt perfectly fine in the morning after a dog bite, and by evening they were in the hospital fighting for their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La progresi\u00f3n normalmente es as\u00ed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each stage is more dangerous than the last, and the window for effective treatment gets smaller and smaller. That’s why catching it early and getting treatment fast is so incredibly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Si bien cualquier persona puede desarrollar sepsis a causa de una infecci\u00f3n por mordedura de perro, algunas personas son m\u00e1s vulnerables:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Si usted se encuentra en alguna de estas categor\u00edas, necesita ser extra, extra<\/em> Est\u00e9 atento a cualquier signo de infecci\u00f3n despu\u00e9s de una mordedura de perro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is basically your everyday staph bacteria that’s learned to laugh at most common antibiotics. It’s like the bacteria went to superhero school and came back resistant to our usual weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular staph infections usually respond well to common antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin. MRSA? Not so much. It’s resistant to most of those go-to drugs, which means doctors have to pull out the big guns \u2013 stronger, often more expensive antibiotics that can come with more side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But here’s the real kicker: MRSA infections tend to be more aggressive. They can cause:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The short answer is yes, but it’s not super common. Dogs poder<\/em> carry MRSA, though they’re actually more likely to pick it up from humans than the other way around. However, if a dog is carrying MRSA and bites you, you could absolutely end up with a MRSA infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s even more concerning is that a regular dog bite infection could convertirse<\/em> a MRSA infection if you’re exposed to MRSA bacteria later on (like, say, in a hospital setting) before the original infection is fully healed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Las infecciones cut\u00e1neas por SARM suelen tener el siguiente aspecto:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tricky part is that MRSA infections can look a lot like regular skin infections at first. The difference usually becomes clear when they don’t respond to standard antibiotic treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I mentioned Pasteurella earlier, but it really deserves its own spotlight. This bacteria is found in about 70% of healthy dogs’ mouths, and it’s the culprit behind the majority of dog bite infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00bfQu\u00e9 hace que Pasteurella sea particularmente problem\u00e1tica?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Las infecciones por Pasteurella suelen causar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Esta bacteria merece un gran respeto. Si bien las infecciones por Capnocytophaga son bastante raras, pueden ser devastadoras, especialmente para personas con sistemas inmunitarios debilitados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Capnocytophaga puede causar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lo realmente aterrador de Capnocytophaga es que puede provocar enfermedades graves incluso con exposiciones menores: no solo picaduras, sino incluso lamidas en piel lastimada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These two bacteria are like the troublemaking twins of the bacterial world. They’re super commonly found on human skin, but dogs can carry them too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estreptococo<\/strong> Las infecciones pueden causar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estafilococo<\/strong> Las infecciones var\u00edan de leves a graves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No todas las mordeduras de perro son iguales en cuanto al riesgo de infecci\u00f3n. Algunas situaciones pr\u00e1cticamente despliegan una alfombra roja para las bacterias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El lugar donde te muerden es muy importante:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zonas de alto riesgo:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zonas de menor riesgo:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Algunas heridas por mordedura simplemente est\u00e1n pidiendo problemas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Algunas cosas sobre t\u00fa<\/em> personalmente puede hacer que la infecci\u00f3n sea m\u00e1s probable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factores de edad:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Condiciones m\u00e9dicas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Factores del estilo de vida:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saber a qu\u00e9 prestar atenci\u00f3n puede salvarte la vida. Estas son las se\u00f1ales de alerta que indican que necesitas atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica inmediata:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signos locales alrededor de la picadura:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Signos sist\u00e9micos (es decir, todo el cuerpo lo siente):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Si desarrolla alguno de estos s\u00edntomas m\u00e1s adelante, podr\u00eda significar que la infecci\u00f3n se est\u00e1 propagando y volvi\u00e9ndose grave:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s something they don’t teach in medical textbooks, but every experienced healthcare provider knows: if something siente<\/em> wrong, it probably is. If you look at a bite wound and just think, “this doesn’t seem right,” trust that instinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve seen too many cases where people ignored their gut feeling because they didn’t want to “overreact” or “waste the doctor’s time.” Your intuition about your own body is often surprisingly accurate. Don’t second-guess yourself when your health is on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n En el tratamiento de infecciones por mordeduras de perro, el tiempo lo es todo. Cuanto antes se inicie el tratamiento adecuado, mayores ser\u00e1n las posibilidades de evitar complicaciones graves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’ve just been bitten, here’s what you should do right away:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paso 1: Controlar el sangrado<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Paso 2: Limpiar la herida<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Paso 3: Aplicar ung\u00fcento antibi\u00f3tico<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s my rule of thumb: when in doubt, get it checked out. But you should definitivamente<\/em> Busque atenci\u00f3n profesional si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you do see a healthcare provider, here’s what they might do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evaluaci\u00f3n y limpieza de heridas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Terapia con antibi\u00f3ticos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prevenci\u00f3n del t\u00e9tano:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Intervenci\u00f3n quir\u00fargica:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all antibiotics are created equal when it comes to dog bite infections. Here’s what typically works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opciones de primera l\u00ednea (estas cubren los culpables m\u00e1s comunes):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Para las personas al\u00e9rgicas a la penicilina:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n En caso de sospecha de SAMR:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n La clave est\u00e1 en combinar el antibi\u00f3tico con las bacterias probables y sus factores de riesgo individuales. \u00a1Su m\u00e9dico lo sabr\u00e1 mejor!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s be real \u2013 the best infection is the one that never happens. While you can’t always prevent dog bites, you can definitely reduce your risk of serious complications if one does occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El enfoque de la hora dorada:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitoreo diario de la herida:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Factores del estilo de vida que ayudan a la curaci\u00f3n:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Incluso si todo parece estar bien, consulte con su proveedor de atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Algunas situaciones de mordeduras de perro simplemente requieren una consideraci\u00f3n especial y, a menudo, un tratamiento m\u00e1s agresivo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Si usted entra en una categor\u00eda de alto riesgo, las reglas cambian un poco:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pacientes inmunodeprimidos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pacientes diab\u00e9ticos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pacientes de edad avanzada:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If a dog bite occurs near a prosthetic joint (like a hip or knee replacement) or any other implanted device (like a heart valve), this is a medical emergency. Bacteria can “seed” these devices and create infections that are incredibly difficult to treat and can have devastating consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estas situaciones a menudo requieren:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curiosamente, las mordeduras humanas suelen causar infecciones m\u00e1s graves que las de perro. La boca humana contiene diferentes bacterias, incluidas bacterias anaer\u00f3bicas m\u00e1s dif\u00edciles de tratar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sin embargo, las mordeduras de perro tienden a causar heridas punzantes m\u00e1s profundas, que tienen m\u00e1s probabilidades de afectar estructuras m\u00e1s profundas como articulaciones y huesos. Por lo tanto, cada una presenta sus propios desaf\u00edos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s something most people don’t think about until it’s too late: dog bite injuries can have serious legal implications, especially if you end up with complications like sepsis or MRSA infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Las infecciones por mordeduras de perro pueden resultar costosas r\u00e1pidamente. Entre las visitas a urgencias, los antibi\u00f3ticos, el seguimiento y la posible hospitalizaci\u00f3n, podr\u00edas enfrentarte a miles de d\u00f3lares en facturas m\u00e9dicas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the infection leads to sepsis or other serious complications, costs can skyrocket into the tens of thousands. I’ve seen cases where MRSA infections required multiple surgeries and weeks of hospitalization \u2013 the financial burden can be immense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Colorado, dog bite laws generally hold owners responsible for injuries their dogs cause, regardless of whether the dog has bitten before. This is called “strict liability,” and it can be really important if you’re facing significant medical expenses or other damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sin embargo, cada caso es diferente y pueden surgir complicaciones como:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quiz\u00e1s desee hablar con un abogado especializado en lesiones personales si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los abogados experimentados de McCormick y Murphy, PC<\/a> han estado ayudando a los residentes de Colorado con casos de lesiones personales desde 1995. Con m\u00e1s de 60 a\u00f1os de experiencia combinada, realmente comprenden c\u00f3mo las complicaciones graves de mordeduras de perro pueden afectar su vida y sus finanzas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s nice about their approach is that they handle most personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis \u2013 meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless they recover money for you. If you’re dealing with a serious dog bite infection and mounting medical bills, you can Visita su oficina<\/a> en 929 W Colorado Ave en Colorado Springs o ll\u00e1melos al (719) 800-9407<\/a> for a consultation. It’s always good to know your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that most dog bite infections, even serious ones, can be successfully treated if caught early. But recovery isn’t always straightforward, and some people do face long-term challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cronograma t\u00edpico para infecciones no complicadas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recuperaci\u00f3n de complicaciones graves:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Si bien la mayor\u00eda de las personas se recuperan por completo, algunas pueden experimentar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efectos f\u00edsicos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Efectos psicol\u00f3gicos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t skip follow-up appointments, even if you’re feeling better. Your healthcare provider needs to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we’ve focused a lot on what happens after a bite, let’s also talk about preventing bites in the first place. It’s always the best scenario!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los perros suelen avisar con bastante antelaci\u00f3n antes de morder. Aprender a reconocer estas se\u00f1ales puede ayudarte a evitar situaciones peligrosas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warning signs (a dog saying “back off”):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Calming signals dogs use (a dog trying to tell you they’re uncomfortable but not aggressive):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hacer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Children are at higher risk for dog bites, partly because they don’t always recognize warning signs. Teach kids to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Una de las partes m\u00e1s dif\u00edciles de lidiar con una mordedura de perro es saber cu\u00e1ndo debes estar realmente preocupado y cu\u00e1ndo puedes relajarte un poco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La curaci\u00f3n normal se ve as\u00ed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respecto a las se\u00f1ales:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a helpful guideline: most dog bite infections will show signs within 48 hours. If you make it past 48 hours without any signs of infection, your risk drops significantly (though it doesn’t disappear completely, so stay vigilant!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some bacteria (like Capnocytophaga) can cause delayed infections, so don’t let your guard down completely. Always keep an eye on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can’t stress this enough: if something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out. Healthcare providers would much rather see you for a false alarm than miss a serious infection. Your peace of mind is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s what you really need to remember about dog bite infections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los puntos m\u00e1s importantes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPor qu\u00e9 las mordeduras de perro son un campo de juego para las bacterias<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
El elenco bacteriano de personajes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cuando las cosas van de mal en muy mal: Entendiendo la sepsis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00bfC\u00f3mo se ve realmente la sepsis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u00bfQu\u00e9 tan r\u00e1pido puede desarrollarse la sepsis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Who’s at Higher Risk for Sepsis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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SARM: La superbacteria que nadie quiere conocer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00bfQu\u00e9 hace que el SARM sea tan peligroso?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u00bfSe puede contraer SARM por la mordedura de un perro?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reconociendo las infecciones por SARM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Otros alborotadores bacterianos que debes conocer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pasteurella: El demonio de la velocidad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Capnocytophaga: El asesino silencioso<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Estreptococo y estafilococo: el d\u00fao din\u00e1mico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Factores de riesgo que empeoran todo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ubicaci\u00f3n, ubicaci\u00f3n, ubicaci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Caracter\u00edsticas de las heridas que indican problemas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Sus factores de riesgo personales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Early Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preocupaciones inmediatas (primeras 24 a 48 horas)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Complicaciones posteriores (m\u00e1s de 48 horas)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The “Trust Your Gut” Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Enfoques de tratamiento que realmente funcionan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cuidado inmediato de heridas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cu\u00e1ndo buscar atenci\u00f3n profesional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Opciones de tratamiento profesional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Opciones de antibi\u00f3ticos que tienen sentido<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Estrategias de prevenci\u00f3n que realmente importan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Acciones inmediatas posteriores a la mordedura<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cuidado de heridas a largo plazo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cu\u00e1ndo hacer seguimiento<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Situaciones especiales que requieren atenci\u00f3n adicional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mordeduras en individuos de alto riesgo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mordeduras que involucran dispositivos prot\u00e9sicos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Infecciones por mordeduras de humanos y perros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
El lado legal de las cosas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cuando las facturas m\u00e9dicas comienzan a acumularse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Entendiendo sus derechos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cu\u00e1ndo considerar la ayuda legal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Recuperaci\u00f3n y perspectivas a largo plazo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qu\u00e9 esperar durante la recuperaci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Posibles efectos a largo plazo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Atenci\u00f3n de seguimiento que importa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Prevenci\u00f3n m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de la picadura<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Leyendo el lenguaje corporal del perro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Interacciones seguras con perros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ense\u00f1ar a los ni\u00f1os sobre la seguridad canina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cu\u00e1ndo preocuparse vs. cu\u00e1ndo relajarse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Curaci\u00f3n normal vs. signos de problemas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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La regla de las 48 horas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conf\u00eda en tus instintos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
La conclusi\u00f3n sobre las infecciones por mordeduras de perro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n